Carmelo Anthony Has A Big Price Tag

There was a fun story the other day about how even though Isiah Thomas’s return to the New York Knicks got the kibosh from the league because of that little matter of him still coaching a NCAA team, he’s still weighing in on some of the more relevant league matters. For instance, Thomas insists that Carmelo Anthony will be traded to either the Chicago Bulls or the Knicks. Fittingly, the Nuggets already told the Knicks they don’t have any desirable pieces and talks with the Bulls fizzled after Chicago refused to include Joakim Noah in a deal. But that doesn’t mean that other teams aren’t giving it their best.

After heavy criticism for sitting on their hands during July’s free agent frenzy, the New Jersey Nets seem desperate most-willing to work toward an amicable deal for the superstar. New Jersey has already made at least one offer but Denver is demanding Brooks Lopez in any deal, and the Nets aren’t willing to give up a centerpiece player. Now someone like Jarvis Hayes, on the other hand…

They want something approximating equal value back. Which sounds good on paper but something you never get when trading a superstar.

The Nets are pushing hardest to find a way to make Denver happy, said Broussard. They made what seems the best offer — No. 3 pick Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Kris Humphries and a draft pick — but Denver wanted the untouchable Lopez.

Various news outlets are reporting that teams are giving up on trade talks for Anthony because the Nuggets are simply asking way too much. When reached for comment, San Diego Chargers GM A.J. Smith said, “Go Nuggets!”

Meanwhile, the Portland Trailblazers are still being mentioned as a possible suitor, as noted in a recent memo to the Nuggets from Blazers GM Rich Cho: “You guys looking for top draft pick franchise talent? Let me tell you about a guy named Greg Oden…”